Hapgood best at Portmarnock Links
Jake Hapgood (Wales) driving at the 7th tee during the final day of the 2017 Irish Students Amateur Open Championship at Bray Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman

Jake Hapgood (Wales) driving at the 7th tee during the final day of the 2017 Irish Students Amateur Open Championship at Bray Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman

Welshman Jake Hapgood looks like he could be a threat in this week's Radisson Blu sponsored West of Ireland Championship.

The 21-year old international teed it up in Tuesday's TaylorMade Winter Series at Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links and resisted the rain and stiff breeze to head for Rosses Point with the top gross prize.

Playing off plus three, Hapgood went out in two-under par with three birdies and a bogey on his card before coming home in one-over by following bogeys at the 10th and 12th hole with a birdie at the 13th and five finishing pars for a one-under 70.

Castle’s Alex Gleeson, a former junior member at Rosses Point, will also be fancied to challenge for the West of Ireland after he shot a one-over 72 to take second in the gross.

Greystones' Robbie O'Brien won the nett with a 72 of six, edging out Powerscourt two-handicapper Declan King by a stroke.

Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links will host its annual Senior and Junior Scratch Cups on April 13 while the TaylorMade Winter Series will continue until the end of April.

TaylorMade Winter Series, Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links (Par 71, SSS 75, CSS 75)

Nett

  1. Robbie O'Brien (6) Greystones 72
  2. Declan King (2) Powerscourt 73.

Gross

  1. Jake Hapgood (+3) Southerndown 70
  2. Alex Gleeson (+5) Castle 72.